Chapter 6, Problem 41A

Summary Introduction

To fill:

The correct term in the given blank.

Introduction:

Carbon atoms join to form carbon molecules. Similarly, most cells have small carbon compounds that act as the building blocks for large molecules. Smaller organic molecules join together to form macromolecules or polymers. Polymers are formed by repeating units of nearly identical or identical compounds known as monomers joined by a series of covalent bonds. The biological macromolecules are divided into four major classes - carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.

Answer to Problem 41A

DNA and RNA are examples of nucleic acids.

Explanation of Solution

Nucleic acids are complex macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information. They are composed of smaller repeating nucleotide subunits. Nucleotides are composed of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and hydrogen atoms. There are six major nucleotides, all having three units- a phosphate, a ribose sugar and a nitrogenous base. Living organisms have two types of nucleic acids- Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic acids (RNA). The sugar of one nucleotide bonds to the phosphate of another nucleotide in DNA and RNA.